Comparative Effects of Recove® and Nitrofurazone 0.2% on the Treatment of First and Second-Degree Burns: a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Burns are among the major health challenges of all societies and more than any other trauma incur physical, mental, social, and economic burdens on the patient and society. This study was conducted to assess whether Recove(®) burn ointment is capable of alleviating the pain, preventing the formation of new blisters and controlling the microbial contamination of the wound. METHODS: We, therefore, compared its efficacy to ​​nitrofurazone 0.2% cream. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on individuals who had two burn injuries in their body at the same time in the Motahari Burn Hospital, Tehran Province, from June to October 2016. Sampling was carried out with a non-random method using available samples. The intervention in experimental and control groups was Recove(®) and nitrofurazone, respectively. The effect of interventions on pain relief, the formation of new blisters and prevention of infection at the burn wound were evaluated. In our double-blind study, blindness was applied to the patients and the person evaluating the outcomes. RESULTS: Both Recove(®) and nitrofurazone interventions significantly alleviated pain (P < 0.01), but Recove (®)showed more effectiveness (P=0.01). Similarly, in terms of new blister formation, the experimental group receiving Recove(®) showed less new blister formation over 24 hours after treatment compared to nitrofurazone group (P=0.03) and with respect to antimicrobial activity, there was no significant difference between Recove(®) and nitrofurazone (P=0.12). CONCLUSION: Recove(®) was effective on pain reduction, prevention of new blisters formation as well as infection. Therefore, it seems that Recove(®) could be considered as a new and efficient treatment for burn.